Flexible band, chain, or linkage



May24, 1932 I c. H. KESTENMAN 1,860,185

FLEXIBLE BAND, CHAIN, OR LINKAGE Filed Dec. 27. 1928 nuff; 2 un I l NI z Z MHHl Patented May 24, 1932 PATENT FH v Aunirtesrarrss CHARLES H. KESTENMAN, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE JSLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 KES'IVENVIAN BROS. lv'FG. CO., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLANILA CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND,

'FLEXrBLn Banner-rein, on LINK'AGE Application mea necembe'rfav, 192s. serial no. 3283er This invention relates to an improved con-4 struction of flexible bands, chains or linkages for vuse 1n the manufacture of articles 'of jewelrysuch as bracelets, wrist watchstraps,

necklaces, girdles or the like.

One object-of the invention istoprovide a flexible band, chain or linkage comprising arseries of articulated link-elements which are flexibly connected to adapt they article to conform to the contour of the` surface on which it is worn.

another object of the inventionis to provide a device ef the typ-e specified whereinV the articulated link-elements are connected by means substantially enclosed therein so that all mechanical parts are entirely covered and concealed from view.

Another object of the invention is to'pro- I vide a device of the-,type specified wherein the articulated link-elements are connected by means which require no pins, rivets, screws or the like, and which is also devoid of any soldered joints.

Another object of the invention is to pro#v vide a device of the type specied which may be constructed from sheet-m-etal parts struck up in dies and capable of being rapidly assembled without particular skill or expert` ness cn the part of the workman and Without the use of tools.

Another object of the inventionisto provide Aa device of the type specified wherein the connecting` means for the link-elements are merely inserted in place to be automatie cally interengaged and interlocked to permanently hold the parts in coupled relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified wherein 4@ the connectingemembers for the link-elements are adapted to interlock with a snap action when inserted into the links and their interbled or disassembled without permanent deformationV thereof. f

Another object of the invention is to'vpro`v vide a device of the type specified which mayV be manufactured at low cost while at the saine time furnishing a stronger and more durable structure. z

Further objects of the improvement lare set forth. in the following specification which describes several preferredforms of construe i tion of theinvention as illustrated by the ac-V companying drawings. ,j In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the.y

invention as embodied in a flexible band,- chain orlinkage adapted'for various uses;',g

Fig. 2 is a Vplan view of a lportion of the band or linkage showing the link-elements partly in sectionat one end of. the band to V illustrate the interlocked connecting-mernn bers and the `method of inserting them into the links ;V V

Fig. 3 isan edge viewYof-a section of th band or linkageshowing it as somewhat enlarged over Fig. 2; f f l Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective View showing one form of the complementary connecting-members for the link-elements; j

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.. 2 showing a'modilied form of Vconstruction of the link elements andv connecting-members;

. Fig.` 6 is a perspective. view ofthe con-- necting-members illustrated in Fig. '5 v;l

Fig. 7' is aV perspective view ofthe mainv link-element as employedin the construction shown Vin F ig.' 5; and f Fig. .8 is a detailed view of a still further mcdifiedform of connecting-menibers for the link-elements. i j j Thepresentinvention relates-in general to a novel and improved construction of connecting-means for joining Vthe linkselementsjof flexible bands, chains'and linkages, and also Vcontemplates animprovedmethod of assembling the parts4 toprovide for permanency of their connection or joinder. As-herein shown the completed article constitutes a band, chain or linkage which is adapted to be used as a strap or braceletforWristwatches in accordance with ay prevailing style or custombutit may be adapted forfother purposesffor in- 'o stance, in the manufacture of necklaces, arml guards, and similar articles of jewelry "and aClOI-ment. Y.

bands, anklets, girdles, watch-ifobs, watch.-

As herein shown the linkage isof the at'l' .Y ended boxes having a flat top '3, lahorresponding bottom tand narrower flat sides In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. l to 3, ofthe drawings, theconnecting-means forthe vtubular link-elef them to be sprungnto interlocking engage-v lments 2 are constructed in .the form oi biurcated members @and 7 of substantially;

hairpin shape. The members 6 and 7 may be struck up, in dies Afrom flat sheet-meta1i Vstock bein formed with their o posite le s' a P g Vnotched in 'complementary fashion to adapt lment when they are inserted into they ends of adjoining lmk-elementsk 2' in s-traddl'ed krelation with respectto the sides thereofl as shown in Fig.2. .'One connecting-member 6l has its opposite legs8 generally tapered towardthev end on the outside, and notchedr at 9 to prO- The complementary vvide detent shoulders.

` connecting-member 7 has its. legs ll tapered toward the ends on theiri-nsidey edges and notched at l2. It is to be noted: that the detent shouldersof the notchesfQ and l2 on both connectingemembers 6l and 7. are inclined in- Y wardly yaway'from thev tips of :the legs, 8 and l1. That is to say, the `detent shcnlders of. the notches instead of beingperpendicularto ther longitudinal axis ofsaid'members are, n.-

clinedat an anglethe'reto, see Figs` 2 and 4,

wherebythe detent rshoulders.may be diseny. -gaged by forcibly pulling Vthe members 6 and 7 to permit them to be withdrawn from the;V

endsV of the link elements. By' this' torm of;

construction provisiony is ymade for-y disas-v A sembling the links of the band or bracelet sol that lone or more links mayv be removed to,V shortenthe band VVor eXtra links inserted to increase its length. vEach element@ and7 isl widened at the end with a, sorto head-piece 1i projecting outwardly from the sides of. their legs to provide portions l5 which abut 'similar portions on the neXtpairof connecting-'members 6 and v7 assembled in the linkage as 'illustrated in Fig.'v 2.; In this "way-v the abut,- ting side-s of the heads le' of the adjacent fpairs. of Veonnecting-members 6 and 7 form anfvunbroken surface along Ythe marginal edgesofthe bandz or linkage as shown in Fig.Y 1, while `theirlegs are spaced 'away' tromfthe.

" adjacent legs of the next connecting-member'.

, 1- In assemblingv the partSz/Of: the devicey to form the band, chain or linka-ge, the;tailmlar-v link-elements Q arel arranged Yside. hy:KV side in series and the connectingmembers' and 71` inserted into their" open ends as illustrated*` at the right in Fig. 2. One member 6-is inserted at one side of the. linkage withV its arms 8 straddling the'adjacent side walls 5 of two adjoining link-elements AV2, and theother member 7 is inserted in lthe same manner ,at the opposite side ofv the linkage. Pressure is then exerted on the ends or head-pieces 14 of the two members 6 and 7 tov force them together -to interlock their notched ends.- krlhat is to say,A asthe 'two members 6 and 7k are pushed into the hollow links 2 the tapered,

notched ends of the legs 8 on the member 6 will slide in between the legs, 11 of the member 7, thereby forcing; thelegs 1l to spring @parti until the; Yrirztnlles ,9 interengage with ther notched4 portions l2 of the element-7.- Y.

The. inherent' resiliency orspring tendencyV of the legs of the bifttrcvated member 7 causes.l

them to snap. back into place to form a close joinder-wfith the notched legs vof the member 6, clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the draw-` ings.. It'willbeobserved'from Fig. 3 that the' Y 'Y connecting'emembers'6jand 7 are of a thickness corresponding substantially with vthcspace between thetop and bottom 4 of the tubular link-elements 2: and, Consequ.emily,y

when they two interlocked; elements are enclosed within the .links they will be kprevented from.lateral'displacement.- 'lphat is to say, one member cannot be lifted or canted out oiilengagement with the other member to cause their legs to become unlocked.r On the other hand,the interlocked connecting-mem? bers6f2ul1d lle/disengaged by seizing theiriheads' 14; l projecting along the ksides 'of the bracelet and forcibly drawing them apart, t@ .canse their datent. shoulders to ride outwardl'y one @Menthe other. j 1 In; 01h-1s Wayl any' one 0r morelinks may be lrammed from the band, chain or linkage to shorten Yits length-r or; in other cases extra. n

links. may/bc. inserted to lincrease its A.length as before mentioned. The disconnection of thelinks in the, manner explained may be accomplished bythe jeweler or by the wearer 1 hlnselfqwhen it is necessary.` to alter the l l length of the' bracelet to fit the wrist'.v Y. 5,63 and 7 of the drawingsillustrate another embodiment ofV the 'invention in and 17 are of` somewhat differenty construc-Y tionV4 and; the tubularlink-elements 2O are also of slightlydifferentiform. As shown more particularly in; Figl 7,v the tubular link-element 20 has its sides25 cut away at theend's to `f n'mrecesses 26l between the top `28 and bottom 24 Qfthelink; yFliese recesses 26 re-.

ceijvethe end-portions of the connecting,

which the bifureated connecting-members 16 Y members, andthis form of?v boxflink'may be used with the construction shown ink Figs. 2 V

and; l-SO; that the rheads;or end-pieces 14 of the connectingmemhers 6; and' 7 will' be. received ist within and their edges arranged flush withV the ends of the links.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the two' complementary connecting-members 16 and 17-are formed from relatively thinsheet` metal stock and folded to provide end-poi? tions 18 with opposite overlying bifurcated portions 30 and 31 extending forwardly therefrom. It will be observed that the two connecting-members 16 and 17 are of exactly the same construction, one member being reversed in position in relation to the other to provide for the interengagement of their interlocking parts. Each member has a pair of relatively long legs 32 extending from` the folded portion31, with Vthe ends of these legs; crimped or bent at 33 to form zig-zagpor-l tions of opposite angles. AThe other folded portion 30 of eachmember is cutaway to form shorter legs 34 which* are bent or crimped at 35 to fornizig-zag portions adapted to interlock withrthebent ends 33 of the opposite conimeting-member.4 y

Referring toFig; 5 ofthedrawings; it `will be understood that the members 16 and 17 are inserted into the opposite ends of the tubular link-elements 2O in the same manner as in assembling the parts of the chain or link# age illustrated in Fig. 2. As the members 16 and 17 are forced toward each other with their legs 34 and 32 straddling the recessed side walls 25 oftwo abutting link-elements 2O the crimped ends 35 of the short legs34 on one member will spring over and interlock with the bent end portions 33 of the long legs 32. As the opposite crimped legs of the two members 16 and 17 are thus sprung into interlocking engagement the end-portions y18 of the members are received Within the ends of the tubular links 20, the recesses 26 accommodating that portion of the stock which joins the ends of the legs of the members.

Fig. 8 illustrates a still further modiication in the form of construction of the connecting-members for the links in which atubular bifurcated member 36 is provided with split end-portions adapted to receive the ball-like ends of the legs 'of a similarlyshaped member 37. The member 36 may be constructed of tubular stock such as hollow' drawn wire bent into substantially U-shape. The ends of its legs 38 are swaged inwardly at 39 and split longitudinally on opposite sides at 40. rIhe member 37 may be formed of solid Wire bent intovUv-shape with the ends of its legs 41 rounded at 42 and notched or grooved at 4 3.. These two members 36 .and 37 may be employed to assemble links of the form shown in Fig. 7 the legs :of the bifurcated members being entered into the ends of the tubular link-elements 2O and pushed into place to cause the inturned rims 39 of the hollow legs 38 of the member` 36 to snap into the grooves 43 at the endsof the legs 41 on the member 37 In this Wayj a secure and substantially permanent lock is effected between the two connecting-members v .for holding thelink-elements in articulatedrela` tion. y Y

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly simple and etlicient"connecting-means for Joining a seriesrof hollow orl tubular links 1n' "articulated relation so that the whole" band, chain or linkage isadapted for tlexure. As before noted, the main link-elementsv may becut from a length of hollow tubular stock` which is-inanufactured and merchandised in variousforms, and the connecting-members may be 'stamped out from sheet-metal Vat a rapid rate'of 'production and at veryeconomi'cal cost. l

In some cases the main link-elementsma-y l and then insert the connecting-members into' their ends to cause them' to interlock in permanently fixed relation. As aresult of this form of construction and the method of as- `sembing the parts a particularly neat and well-finished article is produced with the joints between the connecting-members enw tirely enclosedand concealed from view.

ing-members hold the links in close associa` yThe interlocked legs of the opposite connecton another to :provide for exure of the artic-'i the connecting-members tending to reinforceeach other,'so that the whole chain or linky age is practically proof against breakage or dislocation of its parts. The finished article `ulated structure7 'and the parts are permit is also more artistic in appearance than-similar devices having soldered or riveted joints,V

or interlocking parts which are exposed to viewand is thus adapted for use in the mani ufacture of high classjewelry. L y

It has been observed that the form of the link-elements be changed without ref-..

erence to the structure and arrangement 'of the connecting-members and it has also been shown that the connecting-members maybe of different forms of construction to interlock to couple or join the partsof the link#` f age in articulated' relation. 4Various other f outdeparting. lfrom. the spirit or 'scope of the invention, and therefore, without limitingk myself in this respect, I claim.: l2 A jointed band in which is compri-sed- 'I a pair of flat tubing lengths joined by apair of coacting U-shapedelements each having one arm extending `into one tubing lengtl'r from one end thereof to partially lap past the armv extending into `the same tubing4 10. vlength from' thefopposite end thereof, the

two arms being confined by the tubing against relative movement in the direction of its,v

' ynarrower dimension but having clearance for relative movement in its wider direction, the 15 armsr of one U-shaped element terminating in hooks adapted-to snap-lock withthe arms of the otherelement when thev interengag-v ing arm ends are forced past each other into locking position.-

ity voftubular links, and staples having'their legsr-eceived within opposite ends lof Vadjacent links lfor `interoonnecting said links, the legs of opposite staples yhaving mutuallyy interfitting portions engaging with a snap actionfwhen said staple-s are pressed together separably to interlockthe staples,

whereby the parts may be 'assembled or dis-` assembled without permanent deformation. thereof. y Y

3. A flexible'bracelet coinprisingfa plurality of` tubular links, andv staples having their legs received within opposite ends of adjacent links for interconnecting-said links, the 'corresponding legsof opposite staples having mutually interlitting cam portions engaging Vwith a snap action when sai-d staples i are pressed together separably to interlock the staples, whereby the` parts Vmay be assembled or disassembled without permanent deformation thereof, the `interlocking connection between said opposite pairs of stav2. Av flexible brac-elet comprising a plural-V clined surfacesvengageable with; a snapiaction when thev staples are,sprung-'together and separable `fron-reach. other when the staplesare pulled apart, whereby. the parts may be assembled and disassembled without permanent deformationf'thereof. ,y l

l; 6. In a bandchain or li kage, the combi-` nation of ya pluralityof hollow,link-elements,

,means for d connecting saidV link-elements in" articulated relationshipk comprising' bifur-V catehdmembers adapted .for insertion into,r` adjoining .links in straddled relationwith the walls thereohf and interlocking means engageab-le by snap action for securing said bifurcated members in connection, said interlocking meansfbeing'-` formed to provide for the release of the members by forcibly drawing thein'apart wherebyvv the link-elements j may be assembled andv disassembled without permanent deformation of the parts. 7. A flexible braoeletcomprising al plurali-ty ofy link-elements havinghollow portions,

staples having' their legsfreceifve'd within op-y Y y posi'te ends ofV adjacentflinks for interconnecting said lin'ks,'and mutually interl'itting means engaging with Aa snap actionwhen said staplesfare forcedintothe ylinks tol hold the staples vin place to connect the links in articulated relationship, i said interlocking I means being. shapedto elfect'their disengage- Vment when the staples are forcibly pulledapart wherebythe lparts 0f the bracelet `may be assembled or disassembled without permai nent deformation thereof; f

Y In testimony whereof I kaffix mysignature.

ICD

staple are sprung over the legs of the opposite y staple to interlock vsaid staples, and mutually separable when thestaples arepulled Y apart, whereby the parts may be assembled 55 and disassembled without permanent deformation thereof. if, f

5.- yIn an article of theV class pair of parallel.tubes,-a pair of staples having their Alegs vreceived'within opposite ends 60 of'said tubes, the legsofone staple overdescribed, a

lapping the ends of" the otherrstaple, ,and

Y oomplemental notches and grooves onfthe lcontiguous Ysurfaces of the respective over; i i

lapped legs for separably interlockingthe f Y.

v Y ,Y f5-staples, said notches andV grooves having in- 

